Check this out:
Announcement: Compatible Apple iPod Devices and MP3Player
With the new option „USB-Audio-Interface“ (option 6FL) the following mp3
players can be connected to the vehicle and operated via the control
elements in the vehicle from March 07:

Damn... I was hoping this interface would be compatible with generic USB mass storage devices. It'd be nice to get a bus powered 160GB hard drive to hold MP3s.

I have the factory installed option and even though it's a little more expensive it's great.
The Ipod interface is great, the sound is great and it's not slow at all.
Got my car last week and i was kind of pissed of that Bmw did this , but now i don't mind really. The Ipod Most interface is great.

I have the factory installed option and even though it's a little more expensive it's great.
The Ipod interface is great, the sound is great and it's not slow at all.
Got my car last week and i was kind of pissed of that Bmw did this , but now i don't mind really. The Ipod Most interface is great.

I can't believe that BMW NA still has not released pricing for this, or made it a selectable option via the website. With only 4 more days in February I think it's time they update their site to include this.

I'm guessing that maybe when the 335xi appears in the "build your own" list, this option might also be added.

This is all I´ve gotten and it´s for the E87, but it should be the same for other MOST cars.

AS of March 2007 it will be possible to connect external audio sources to the music system on the LCI via the USB socket. The monitor screen will map the functions of the connected devices and display them as permanent drives.

Ipod
One of the devices that can be connected is the iPod. Control is by digital means via USB to-serial cable using the proprietary Apple protocol. The monitor uses the iPod database and maps the functions of the iPod. Integration of iPod, iPod Nano and iPod Video is planned for March 2007. Tracks can be accessed from "Playlist", "Artist", "Album","Genre" and "Song".

USB audio players
It will also be possible to use USB audio players in the E87 LCI from March 2007.Connection is by means of a USB cable using the USB mass storage protocol.

The folder structure on the audio player is displayed on the monitor screen and a database is also constructed by analysing the ID3 tags using M2ULF. Tracks can be accessed both through the folder structureand by means of the database. Tracks on the USB audio player can be accessed from "Playlist", "Artist", "Album", "Genre" and "Song".

BMW claims this allows the full functionality of the iPod with the car's audio system and steering wheel controls, etc. Also should charge the iPod. This indicates that it will use the iPod dock connection.

I'd love to learn more, as I have this option on my new order. With any luck, this will become a JSpira thread once he gets his hands on the information!

LedZep - Thanks for all of your help on this - got confirmation from my SA that the 6FL was added to my order today!

I am so glad I found out about it - I would have been so bummed if I would have found out about it after it was built. You rock dude!:rocks:

It allows full control of your iPod and/or USB device by iDrive and MFL buttons. Playlists, Genres, Artists, Albums and Titels (and for USB directories) will be shown on the car display. The selection of these categories works similar to the iPod, e.g., if the Genre Rock is selected all Artists of this Genre are displayed etc. The complete function including the audio is fully integrated, i.e., when there is a call coming in the audio will be paused etc.

To connect the iPod a special adapter cable is necessary. The reason is that the iPod won't allow control and/or music streaming over an USB interface (unless you build in a stupid authentication chip made by Apple and then it would only work with iPod Nanos and the Video). Therefore this cable converts USB to serial. Audio comes to the car via an audio jack.

When an USB device is connected the directories are shown in first place (similar to the explorer view in windows). When all metadate of the audio files is analyzed also Genre, Artist, etc. are shown. Then the USB device "looks" like the iPod. To analyze the metadate takes some time. However, the information is stored and when connecting the device again everything should happen much faster. In principle any USB device can be connected. But it cannot be guaranteed that any device works, e.g., USB sticks typically work fine. MP3-Players also work when they support the USB mass storage profile. However, the protocol "media transport protocol" (MTP) is not supported and thus "PlaysForShure" devices do not work (Zune does not work either). With USB audiofiles in the formats mp3, wma and aac can be played. Playlists in the m3u-format are supported. The filesystem has to be FAT.

6fl will ship starting March 2007 with the 1-series, 3-series, 5-series. In April X5 is added. In August the Mini and in September the 6-series. It works togther with all iDrive models and with Radio Professional.

It allows full control of your iPod and/or USB device by iDrive and MFL buttons. Playlists, Genres, Artists, Albums and Titels (and for USB directories) will be shown on the car display. The selection of these categories works similar to the iPod, e.g., if the Genre Rock is selected all Artists of this Genre are displayed etc. The complete function including the audio is fully integrated, i.e., when there is a call coming in the audio will be paused etc.

To connect the iPod a special adapter cable is necessary. The reason is that the iPod won't allow control and/or music streaming over an USB interface (unless you build in a stupid authentication chip made by Apple and then it would only work with iPod Nanos and the Video). Therefore this cable converts USB to serial. Audio comes to the car via an audio jack.

When an USB device is connected the directories are shown in first place (similar to the explorer view in windows). When all metadate of the audio files is analyzed also Genre, Artist, etc. are shown. Then the USB device "looks" like the iPod. To analyze the metadate takes some time. However, the information is stored and when connecting the device again everything should happen much faster. In principle any USB device can be connected. But it cannot be guaranteed that any device works, e.g., USB sticks typically work fine. MP3-Players also work when they support the USB mass storage profile. However, the protocol "media transport protocol" (MTP) is not supported and thus "PlaysForShure" devices do not work (Zune does not work either). With USB audiofiles in the formats mp3, wma and aac can be played. Playlists in the m3u-format are supported. The filesystem has to be FAT.

6fl will ship starting March 2007 with the 1-series, 3-series, 5-series. In April X5 is added. In August the Mini and in September the 6-series. It works togther with all iDrive models and with Radio Professional.

Welcome, and THANKS for the great information. Most of it we knew, but you have added some great details that answer many members' previous quesitons.

When an USB device is connected the directories are shown in first place (similar to the explorer view in windows). When all metadate of the audio files is analyzed also Genre, Artist, etc. are shown. Then the USB device "looks" like the iPod.

Thanks for the info. What happens if you connect an iPod at this point? Will it just analyze all MP3 files's metadata as well or will the system recognize it as a "real" iPod and use the iPod's own database?

Thanks for the info. What happens if you connect an iPod at this point? Will it just analyze all MP3 files's metadata as well or will the system recognize it as a "real" iPod and use the iPod's own database?

The iPod does not work this way. Although you can (optionally) set up the iPod as a USB Storage Device the music that you can play on the iPod will NEVER appear as files on the storage device and any MP3 files that you copy directly to the iPod as a Storage Device will NOT appear on the iPod and cannot be played via the iPod.

So if you connect your iPod via it's regular USB cable you will not see any songs (unless you've loaded them separately into the USB Storage Device). The BMW adapter cable does not use the USB connection to the iPod. Instead it receives commands via USB and sends them into the iPod via it's serial connection (and receives data back the same way). When it sends a command to play to the iPod, the iPod sends analog audio which goes into the BMW AUX input via the adapter connector.

It allows full control of your iPod and/or USB device by iDrive and MFL buttons. Playlists, Genres, Artists, Albums and Titels (and for USB directories) will be shown on the car display. The selection of these categories works similar to the iPod, e.g., if the Genre Rock is selected all Artists of this Genre are displayed etc. The complete function including the audio is fully integrated, i.e., when there is a call coming in the audio will be paused etc.

To connect the iPod a special adapter cable is necessary. The reason is that the iPod won't allow control and/or music streaming over an USB interface (unless you build in a stupid authentication chip made by Apple and then it would only work with iPod Nanos and the Video). Therefore this cable converts USB to serial. Audio comes to the car via an audio jack.

When an USB device is connected the directories are shown in first place (similar to the explorer view in windows). When all metadate of the audio files is analyzed also Genre, Artist, etc. are shown. Then the USB device "looks" like the iPod. To analyze the metadate takes some time. However, the information is stored and when connecting the device again everything should happen much faster. In principle any USB device can be connected. But it cannot be guaranteed that any device works, e.g., USB sticks typically work fine. MP3-Players also work when they support the USB mass storage profile. However, the protocol "media transport protocol" (MTP) is not supported and thus "PlaysForShure" devices do not work (Zune does not work either). With USB audiofiles in the formats mp3, wma and aac can be played. Playlists in the m3u-format are supported. The filesystem has to be FAT.

6fl will ship starting March 2007 with the 1-series, 3-series, 5-series. In April X5 is added. In August the Mini and in September the 6-series. It works togther with all iDrive models and with Radio Professional.

Thanks for the great post. There has been confusion about the number of "levels" of music selection in comparison with the actual iPod interface. Can you clear this up? Would iDrive allow selection of Genre, then Artist, then Album? I.e (for LedZep!), Heavy Rock/Metal >> Led Zeppelin >> Houses of the Holy? Without the need to create a Playlist? Apparantly this a not the case on the Dealer fit option where only two levels are available